Genetic Types, Spatiotemporal Distribution of Ore Deposits and Sources of Ore-forming Materials in the Xuancheng Area, Anhui Province

In recent years,several large and medium-sized ore deposits have been discovered in the shallow cover of Xuancheng,Anhui Province,indicating that this area has a productive metallogenic geological background and may be a potential prospecting region.Based on systematic investigation,the geological and mineralization characteristics of porphyry Cu-Au deposits and skarn Cu-Mo-W deposits in this region have been summarized.Zircon U-Pb dating(LA-ICPMS)of the Chating quartz-diorite porphyry and the Kunshan biotite pyroxene diorite yield concordia ages of 145.5±2.1 Ma and 131.8±2.1 Ma,respectively.Meanwhile,the Re-Os dating analyses for molybdenite from the Shizishan and Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposits yielded 133.81±0.86 Ma and 143.8±1.4 Ma ages,respectively.When viewed in conjunction with previous studies,it is suggested that twostage(the early stage of 145-135 Ma and the late stage of 134-125 Ma)magmatism may have occurred during the Mesozoic in Xuancheng region.Early stage intrusive rocks are distributed along both sides of the Jiangnan deep fault(JDF).The intrusive rocks to the north of the JDF are mainly quartzdiorite porphyry and granodiorite(porphyry)rocks,related to porphyry Cu-Au deposits and skarn-type Cu-Mo-W deposits.These deposits belong to the first stage of the porphyry-skarn copper gold metallogenic belt of the Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt(MLYB),associated with the high potassium calc-alkaline intermediate-acid intrusions.The magmatic and ore-forming materials are mainly derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle.South of the JDF,the Magushan granodiorite is a representative intrusive rock of the first stage I-type granite,which hosts the Magushan Cu-Mo skarn deposit,similar to the W-Mo-Cu skarn deposits in the Eastern Segment of the Jiangnan Uplift Metallogenic Belt(ESJUB).The magmatic and metallogenic materials mainly came from the Neoproterozoic basement,with the possible participation of a small amount of mantle components.The late stage magmatism was dominated by volcanic rocks with a small amount of intrusive rocks,which were consistent with the limited volcanic-intrusive activities in the second stage of the MLYB.The H-O stable isotopes of ore deposits in the region indicate that the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids of the porphyry and skarn deposits were mostly of magmatic water for the ore-forming stage,the percentage of meteoric water obviously increasing during the late ore-forming stage.The ore-forming materials of the deposits are mainly from the deep magma with a few sedimentary wall rocks,according to the stable carbon isotopes of the carbonates in the ore deposits.Additionally,according to previous research,the molybdenite from the MLYB has a higher Re content than that of the ESJUB.The higher content of Re in the molybdenite from the Shizishan deposit is identical to that of MLYB rather than ESJUB,whereas Re characteristics in molybdenite of Magushan deposit are similar to that of ESJUB.The differences in Re characteristics indicate the different deep processes and ore-forming material sources(mainly mantle composition for the former and crustal materials for the latter)of these ore deposits on opposite sides of the JDF.

Geochemistry and Geochronology of Intermediate Rocks in the Jiangshan Au Deposit in the Bengbu Uplift, North Anhui Province: Clues to Regional Au Mineralization

The Jiangshan gold deposit is the largest,most recently-discovered gold deposit in the Bengbu Uplift.The ore bodies are located in the structural fracture zone of the Zhuangzili Formation(Ar3),with major Pb-Zn and Au reserves.In this study,LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses yielded a crystallization age of 111.5±1.8 Ma for the quartz diorite porphyry in Jiangshan.The quartz diorite porphyry has high Ba and Sr content,with low Y and Yb content,which is similar to the characteristics of adakitic rocks.They are enriched in large ion lithophile elements(LILEs,e.g.,Ba,U)and light rare ear th elements(LREEs),while depleted in high field strength elements(HFSEs,e.g.,Nb,Ti)and heavy rare earth element(HREEs).They have zirconεHf(t)values of-23.52 to-21.14(mean=-22.32).and Hf model ages of 2419.76 to 2569.39 Ma.The magma source area is the lower crust.Magma primarily came from the partial melting of the lower crust,with the addition of some mantle material.The quartz diorite porphyries are characterized by high zircon TTi-in-zircon values(608-757°C),Ce^4+/Ce^3+ratios(71.97-1387.10)and Eu/Eu*ratios(0.46-1.08),indicating high temperature and magmatic oxygen fugacities.High temperatures can provide heat to fluids and highly oxidized magmas can control the behavior and speciation of sulfides,thus controlling the behavior of Au.Finally,the ore-forming fluid is enriched and precipitated in a favorable structural space to form the Jiangshan Au deposit.

Genetic Types and Metallogenic Model for the Polymetallic Copper–Gold Deposits in the Tongling Ore District, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.

High resolution tomography of the Tanlu fault zone near Hefei with passive seismic and magnetotelluric linear array data

As the largest fault trending NNE-SSW to NE-SW in the eastern Eurasia Continent,the Tanlu fault zone(TLFZ)extends over 2,400 km within China,roughly from Wuxue,Hubei Province,to Russia.Since the Quaternary period,the TLFZ has been an earthquake-prone area in eastern China where several major earthquakes resulted by tectonic compression occurred,causing tremendous casualties and significant economic losses.Many studies on different segments of the TLFZ have been carried out in the past few decades.However,numerous key questions regarding the fault zone remain unanswered due to a lack of clear subsurface characterization and fault delineation.In this study,we present high-resolution tomographic results across the TLFZ to the east of Hefei,where one 22-km-long passive seismic array with densely spaced short-period nodes,and a 24-km-long magnetotelluric array were deployed adjacent to each other.We find the velocity and resistivity variations are highly consistent with known surface geology.Sharp property contrasts in both the seismic shear wave velocity and electrical resistivity profiles clearly delineate the Tanlu F1 fault(TLF-1)near Hefei.More interestingly,an upwelling with distinct high velocity is imaged within the Hefei Basin to the west of the TLF-1,whereas a slanted block with lowvelocity and low-resistivity seems to cut into or thrust upon the high-grade to low-grade middle-pressure rocks in the Zhangbaling uplift right below the Tanlu F2 ductile shear fault(TLF-2).The presented results show a new approach to characterize deep subsurface structure of the TLFZ beyond 2-km depths using passive data,which it is often difficult for active seismic surveys with refracted and reflected waves to image.

Three-dimensional P-wave Velocity Structure Modelling of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt: Crustal Architecture and Metallogenic Implications

In this study,we compiled and analyzed 69310 P-wave travel-time data from 6639 earthquake events.These events(M≥2.0)occurred from 1980 s to June 2019 and were recorded at 319 seismic stations(Chinese Earthquake Networks Center)in the study area.We adopted the double-difference seismic tomographic method(tomo DD)to invert the 3-D P-wave velocity structure and constrain the crust-upper mantle architecture of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(MLYB).A 1-D initial model extracted from wide-angle seismic profiles was used in the seismic tomography,which greatly reduced the inversion residual.Our results indicate that reliable velocity structure of th e uppermost mantle can be obtained when Pn is involved in the tomography.Our results show that:(1)the pattern of the uppermost mantle velocity structure corresponds well with the geological partitioning:a nearly E-W-trending low-velocity zone is present beneath the Dabie Orogen,in contrast to the mainly NE-trending low-velocity anomalies beneath the Jiangnan Orogen.They suggest the presence of thickened lower crust beneath the orogens in the study area.In contrast,the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks are characterized by relatively high-velocity anomalies;(2)both the ultra-high-pressure(UHP)metamorphic rocks in the Dabie Orogen and the low-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Zhangbaling dome are characterized by high-velocity anomalies.The upper crust in the Dabie Orogen is characterized by a low-velocity belt,sandwiched between two high velocity zones in a horizontal direction,with discontinuous low-velocity layers in the middle crust.The keel of the Dabie Orogen is mainly preserved beneath its northern section.We infer that the lower crustal delamination may have mainly occurred in the southern Dabie Orogen,which caused the mantle upwelling responsible for the formation of the granitic magmas emplaced in the middle crust as the low-velocity layers observed there.Continuous deep-level compression likely squeezed the granitic magma upward to intrude the upper crustal UHP metamorphic rocks,forming the'sandwich'velocity structure there;(3)high-velocity updoming is widespread in the crust-mantle transition zone beneath the MLYB.From the Anqing-Guichi ore field northeastward to the Luzong,Tongling,Ningwu and Ningzhen orefields,high-velocity anomalies in the crust-mantle transition zone increase rapidly in size and are widely distributed.The updoming also exists in the crust-mantle transition zone beneath the Jiurui and Edongnan orefields,but the high-velocity anomalies are mainly stellate distributed.The updoming high-velocity zone beneath the MLYB generally extends from the crust-mantle transition zone to the middle crust,different from the velocity structure in the upper crust.The upper crust beneath the Early Cretaceous extension-related Luzong and Ningwu volcanic basins is characterized by high velocity zones,in contrast to the low velocity anomalies beneath the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous compression-related Tongling ore field.The MLYB may have undergone a compressive-to-extensional transition during the Yanshanian(Jurassic-Cretaceous)period,during which extensive magmatism occurred.The near mantle-crustal boundary updoming was likely caused by asthenospheric underplating at the base of the lower crust.The magmas may have ascended through major crustal faults,undergoing AFC(assimilation and fractional crystallization)processes,became emplaced in the fault-bounded basins or Paleozoic sequences,eventually forming the many Cu-Fe polymetallic deposits there.

Analysis of phosphorus forms in sediment cores from ephemeral ponds on Ardley Island, West Antarctica

The guano of penguins, other seabirds, and pinnipeds is an important source of phosphorus in the ecosystems of Antarctica. To study the vertical distribution of phosphorus in sediments influenced by penguins, we measured phosphorus forms in two sediment cores （（31 and Q2） from ephemeral ponds on Ardley Island. We also investigated the correlations between these phosphorus forms and physicochemical characteristics. Inorganic phosphorus was the main form of phosphorus in both cores. The vertical distribution patterns of phosphorus forms in G1 and Q2 differed, indicating different sedimentary sources. The GI sediment profile was more influenced by penguin guano than the Q2 profile, and as a result sediments in the G1 core had higher total phosphorus, non-apatite inorganic phosphorus, and apatite phosphorus content. The findings from two ephemeral ponds on Ardley Island indicate that the contribution of penguin guano to organic matter in G1 core has increased in recent times, while Q2 showed a relatively larger contribution from mosses in ancient times, evident from the lithology and the vertical trend in organic matter.

Location of the Suture Zone between the South and North China Blocks in Eastern Dabie Orogen

The Dabie Mountains are a collisional orogen between the South and North China blocks. The rock assemblages, isotopic dating and tectonic relationship of the tectonic-petrologic units in the eastern Dabie orogen indicate that the orogen is mainly composed of the different-grades metamorphic basement with minor low-grade metamorphic cover. No ophiolitic mélange and the Paleozoic volcanic-intrusive rock associated with the southern margin of the North China block were found there, suggesting that they belong to the northern margin of the South China block. The boundary between the tectonic-petrologic units is generally an extensional shear zone developed in the exhumation process of the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks. In the northern part of the Dabie Mountains, the extensional-thrust and nappe structure represent the products of extensional tectonism. That is, there is no key tectonic boundary to indicate the occurrence of the suture zone there. Therefore, neither the Shuihou-Wuhe shear zone, nor the Mozitan-Xiaotian fault, is the suture zone between the South and North China blocks. The zone is believed to be at the front area of the Xinyang-Shucheng fault, covered by the Mesozoic-Cenozoic deposits within the Hefei basin.

Deep Mineralization Background and Metallogenic Regularity of the Tongling Ore District

Based on the geological conditions and characteristics of mineralization present,three-dimensional geological modelling is used in conjunction with previous deep research results,in order to discuss the process of deep mineralization in the Tongling ore district.The structural analysis shows that surface deformation is strong,deep deformation is weak,the surface has mainly experienced brittle deformation,with the possibility of a large number of deep ductile deformations.There is a thrust nappe between the Tongling uplift and the Nanling basin,that is the boundary of the Tongling block,which has resulted in the southwest uplift of the Tongling block.Combined with the deep exploration data,the threedimensional shape of the main rock masses is interpreted,with three-layer structures in the deep magma chamber.The spatial distribution of magmatic rocks is mainly controlled by the structure.The movement of magmatic hydrothermal fluid is dominated by mesoscale seepage in the deep part and'dike'type upwelling in the shallow part.There is a certain coupling relationship between the ore-forming rock mass and the surrounding rock.The ore-forming age is dominated by the Yanshanian period.Based on the distribution,types and metallogenic characteristics of the deposits,the metallogenic model of'layer coupling'in the Tongling ore district is summarized,with the'one body,two belts and a multilayer metallogenic system'is established,which is significant for the future direction of deep prospecting in the Tongling area.

Organic Matter Accumulation in the Upper Permian Dalong Formation from the Lower Yangtze Region,South China

The Late Permian was marked by a series of important geological events and widespread organic-rich black shale depositions,acting as important unconventional hydrocarbon source rocks.However,the mechanism of organic matter(OM)enrichment throughout this period is still controversial.Based on geochemical data,the marine redox conditions,paleogeographic and hydrographic environment,primary productivity,volcanism,and terrigenous input during the Late Permian in the Lower Yangtze region have been studied from the Putaoling section,Chaohu,to provide new insights into OM accumulation.Five Phases are distinguished based on the TOC and environmental variations.In Phase I,anoxic conditions driven by water restriction enhanced OM preservation.In Phase II,euxinic and cycling hydrological environments were the two most substantial controlling factors for the massive OM deposition.During Phase III,intensified terrestrial input potentially diluted the OM in sediment and the presence of oxygen in bottom water weakened the preservation condition.Phase IV was characterized by a relatively higher abundance of mercury(Hg)and TOC(peak at 16.98 wt%),indicating that enhanced volcanism potentially stimulated higher productivity and a euxinic environment.In Phase V,extremely lean OM was preserved as a result of terrestrial dilutions and decreasing primary productivity.Phases I,II and IV are characterized as the most prominent OM-rich zones due to the effective interactions of the controlling factors,namely paleogeographic,hydrographic environment,volcanism,and redox conditions.

A new oospecies of Shixingoolithus(Shixingoolithus qianshanensis oosp.nov.)from the Qianshan Basin,Anhui Province,East China

Here we describe two newly discovered dinosaur eggs from the Upper Cretaceous Chishan Formation in the Qianshan Basin,Anhui Province,East China.These dinosaur eggs can be assigned to a new oospecies of Stalicoolithidae,Shixingoolithus qianshanensis,based on the following combined features:the larger size of eggs,the uniform eggshell microstructure in the radial section,the smaller height and the larger density of radial microstructures at the inner surface of the eggshell.Radial sections of S.qianshanensis show closely arranged columnar eggshell units forming relatively uniform and dense microstructure;some secondary eggshell units and numerous sub-circular radial microstructures appear separately in the middle and inner parts of the tangential sections,respectively.The discovery of S.qianshanensis provides new fossil types of Stalicoolithidae and represents the first dinosaur relative record in the Qianshan Basin,which offer accurate paleontological evidence of Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene stratigraphic classification in the Qianshan Basin,Anhui Province.

Evolution of Neolithic site distribution(9.0–4.0 ka BP) in Anhui,East China

Based on archaeological surveys of Neolithic cultural development and GIS spatial analysis,this study reproduced the main characteristics of temporal distribution and settlement selection of the sites from the Neolithic Age in Anhui and identified a relationship between environmental evolution and human activity.The results show that altitude,slope direction,and slope gradient were consistent among the settlements at different stages of the Neolithic Age in Anhui,and the sites were mostly distributed in hilly and plain areas on southeast-or south-facing slopes of low gradients close to rivers.We determined that early Neolithic Age(9.0–7.0 ka BP) sites were scattered in small numbers and likely had little cultural exchange with communities of other provinces.The environmental characteristics of various regions in Anhui indicated that the climate was warm and humid with extensive water distribution.The sites of the mid Neolithic Age(7.0–5.0 ka BP) increased rapidly with wide distribution.They were mainly distributed in the plain area north of the Huaihe River and the southwestern areas of Anhui.In the mid Neolithic Age,the warm and humid climate gradually dried,and our ancestors slowly developed cultural exchanges.The largest number of sites existed during the late Neolithic Age(5.0–4.0 ka BP),and were distributed throughout the province.During this period,the overall climate was relatively dry,but humans could still obtain water and other resources through migration.The relatively benign climate facilitated cultural interaction and exchange,which increased during this time,and the Wanjiang culture matured.We also determined that as early civilization evolved,cultures in different regions responded differently to environmental changes.In humid subtropical regions,especially in low-lying plains and areas beside lakes,rivers,and coastal areas,the relatively dry climate in the late period of the middle Holocene,prefaced by a period of high humidity,was conducive to the development of human culture.The evidence from the Neolithic settlements in Anhui therefore reflects this subtropical man-land relationship between cultural development and environmental conditions.

Ore-Forming Fluids Characteristics and Metallogenesis of the Anjing Hitam Pb-Zn Deposit in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia

The Anjing Hitam Pb-Zn deposit in northern Sumatra(Indonesia) is one of the largest Pb-Zn deposits in the region. The stratiform orebodies are mainly hosted in the middle member of the Carboniferous–Permian Kluet Formation of the Tapanuli Group. Mineral paragenesis and crosscutting relationships suggest a two-stage Pb-Zn mineralization:(I) sedimentary and(Ⅱ) hydrothermal mineralization. Ore-related calcite from both stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ contains mainly liquid-and gas-liquid two-phase-type fluid inclusions(FI). For stage I ore-forming fluids, FI homogenization temperatures(T_h) are 105 to 199 oC, and the salinities are 9.6 wt.% to 16.6 wt.% NaCleqiv, reflecting low temperature and medium-low salinity; whereas in stage Ⅱ, the T_h(206 to 267 oC) and salinity(19.0 wt.% to 22.5 wt.% NaCleqiv) are considerably higher. Fluid inclusion and C-O isotope characteristics suggest that the stage I ore-forming fluids were mainly derived from a mixture of seawater and magmatic fluids(probably from deep-lying plutons), whereas the stage Ⅱ ore-forming fluids were likely magmatic-derived with wall rock input. We propose that the Anjing Hitam deposit was a Carboniferous exhalative sedimentary(SEDEX) deposit overprinted by the Pleistocene vein-style magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization.